SHELBY COUNTY, Tennessee —
Shelby County is preparing to go into phase 3 of its plan to reopen for business and leisure. The date is set for Monday, June 15. And I don’t mind saying, it’s a serious risk. But a risk local officials believe they must take to help our economy – and return to at least a partial semblance of normalcy.
It’s risky because for three days this week, the county has seen triple digit increases in confirmed coronavirus cases. 192 on Tuesday, 101 on Wednesday, and 125 Thursday. That should be alarming. Despite those increases, Health Department Director Alisa Haushalter says she sees nothing to prevent the start of phase 3. Let’s hope she’s right.
But she won’t be if county residents start believing that the worst of COVID-19 is behind us. Because it’s not. And the city council and county commission should make it mandatory for people to wear marks in public. Call it overreach if you like. The science says wearing masks – along with social distancing and thorough and frequent hand washing will stem the spread of the virus.
This pandemic has done immeasurable damage to lives and livelihoods. We must cooperate to protect each other. And the last thing we need is to go back to square one.
Frankly, I’m still skeptical that we are ready for phase 3. But I defer to the experts. So go for it. But don’t go without the mask.
And that’s my point of view. I’m Otis Sanford, for Local 24 News.